Be careful with bribe claims: Downer

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Unsubstantiated allegations of corruption in the case against
Schapelle Corby should be taken to the Indonesian authorities, not
the media, the federal government said today.

The warning followed a suggestion last week by Corby's main
financial backer, Gold Coast mobile phone entrepreneur Ron Bakir,
of possible corruption in the Indonesian legal system.

Mr Bakir suggested prosecutors in Corby's drugs case in Bali had
tried to cut a deal to spare her life, although he later appeared
to back away from his comments.

The claim has been denied by the Indonesian embassy in
Canberra.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said it was inappropriate to
make public allegations of corruption or bribery without proof.

"I don't think people should make public allegations of that
kind without being able to substantiate them," Mr Downer told
reporters in Sydney.

"In a court case you want to be very careful in what you say
about that court case outside of the court.

"If there are concerns about bribery taking place then they
should be taken up with the Indonesian police and Indonesian
authorities."

Mr Downer also appealed to the media to give Corby space when
she returned to court on Thursday.

"Part of the problem in court is that the media crowd in around
her and this is pretty difficult for her so we hope very much that
the media will give her a bit of space when she goes back into the
court."

He said Australian diplomats in Bali were doing everything they
could to make sure Corby received medical assistance.

The Queensland beauty student will return to court this week to
hear her fate if found guilty of smuggling 4.1kg of cannabis into
Bali last October inside an unlocked bodyboard bag.

Corby, who has denied the charge, faces a maximum penalty of
death by firing squad, although the Sydney Morning Herald, citing a
spokesman for her legal team, reported today that prosecutors will
seek instead seek a life sentence and a $133,000 fine.